Like many others have already established; I think if they can have other things and not have their whole life revolve around being an otaku over that one thing then it's ok. 'Cuz it's good to have something you enjoy a lot even if it's not from your native country. =3 I don't think there is anything freaky or strange about enjoying something. O_o

I guess i am an otaku
but i don't act annoying or talk about anime to people who dislike anime and i usually talk about anime when i am in the mood but that rarely happens and i don't go overboard like wearing naruto headbands or wearing anime stuff and i don't think theres anything wrong with an otaku cause there just being themselves and i rather want them being who they are than being like everyone else so yeah its fine with me if you are an otaku or not cause i could careless

Like it was said, people in North America call themselves Otaku and wear it like a badge. This can be taken literally, for example, when you go to anime cons such as Anime North, your badge actually says "weekend otaku". But I think there are a lot of people out there who call themselves 'otaku' just because they watched Naruto, or Sailor Moon. This doesn't make you Otaku. I am not even going to call myself Otaku. But a good example of one would be Konata from Lucky Star.

Otaku don't usually scare me, mostly cause I already run with a pretty strange crowd. However, if your 'otakuness' gets in the way of school work, jobs, relationships, and normal human interaction, then it is a bad thing. At this point it's become more of an obsession than just a fandom. There are appropriate ways to incorporate your love of anime and other Japanese subcultures into daily life without being precieved as extremely weird.

And one more thing, to all Otakus. At Anime North they have this rule; all Otaku should obey it!! It's called the 6-2-1 rule!!

You must get at least 6 hours of sleep a day.
You must eat at least 2 meals a day.
You must shower at least ONCE A DAY!!

Remember that last one especially!! Other con go-ers do not enjoy the scent of Otaku BO!! > . <